500kHz heritage campaign kicks off

The Radio Officers' Association is launching a campaign for 500kHz to be recognised internationally as a heritage frequency.

The campaign will kick off on 3 November, the centenary of the 1906 Berlin Wireless Telegraphy Convention, when 500kHz was chosen as the maritime calling and distress
frequency and SOS was picked as the international distress signal.

As part of the launch activities, the Radio Officers' Association plans to operate special event station GB500KCS from the Lizard Marconi Wireless Station and the Poldhu Marconi Centre in Cornwall. The station will be put on the air on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November.

The centenary of the 1906 Berlin Wireless Telegraphy Convention is also being celebrated in Germany and Italy.

German radio officers have obtained the special callsign DK500KHZ and will be on air on Friday 3 November to Sunday 5 November.

The Italians will operate as IY1SP/500KCS from La Spezia where Marconi conducted his first experiments with the Italian Navy.

You can find out more about the 500kHz campaign and the special centenary events on the web at www.roassn.org